The Natural Skin and Hair Softener - Mallow

I fell head over heels in love with this plant ages ago. Mallow (INCI: Malva Sylvestris) is not only beautiful, it has some lovely (and surprising) properties that make it a great addition to a skin and/or hair care product.

The name derives from the Latin Malva which means soft, or capable of softening. The plant pictured above was picked straight from my garden where it was (uninvited and) thriving amongst a few vegetables that had been planted. But one cannot help but forgive it as it is such a beautiful plant.

Where's it From

Mallow is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Not only is it related to the Marsh Mallow plant, it also has similar properties.

Throughout history, Mallow has been used where Marsh Mallow was otherwise unobtainable. Both the flowers and leaves have a history of medicinal use.

Internal Uses

The young leaves of the plant are edible when boiled and is reputed to have been served up as vegetables in some regions. I haven't tried eating them – mostly because I have never read any descriptions that included words like 'tasty' or 'delicious' – only words such as 'edible'.

Mallow has been more popular for medicinal uses. For example, mallow tea is said to be an effective help for soothing and calming dry coughs. The natural mucilage content of this plant makes it an excellent choice for battling any kind of irritation of the mucous membranes.

I purchase dried mallow from a local herbalist and the packaging includes instructions for brewing tea (along with a warning not to consume more than 3 cups a day).

What Mallow has to Offer Skin

Mallow makes good on it's name by offering soothing and softening properties. It has traditionally been used as a poultice for sores, psoriasis, boils, bites, and other wounds.

Mucilage content translates directly to emollience. Dropping a few flowers into bathwater is said to provide skin softening properties.

In addition, mallow is mildly astringent which makes it an ideal addition to skin cleansers and tonics.

What Mallow has to Offer Hair

Added to a rinse, an infusion of mallow leaves and roots helps soften hair and enhance elasticity – especially damaged and fragile hair.

At the right proportions, a mallow infusion will become a gel-like liquid that can be used straight up as a conditioning shampoo for damaged hair, and it will even work to soften your hands while you’re massaging your scalp with it.

Makes Grey Go Away - So They Say

The color of mallow flowers is incredibly powerful. In the old days (you know, before phones and computers), its striking blue pigment was used as a rinse to cover greying hairs.

While mallow could be a healthy natural hair dye on some types of hair, be aware that this plant stains everything it touches. A single flower and single drop of water is enough to create a very visible inky-blue stain (my sink can verify this).

I’ve tried using mallow as a colorant. Once and never again. Read my adventures of mallow as a hair colorant here.

Do Tell

Have you worked with Mallow? How about Marshmallow?

Thinking about making your own extracts but haven’t a clue where to start? Then the book below might be just for you.